For this working artist, Sonoma gallery doubles as studio space

By Jackie Lee | Sun Fine Arts

 

When well-known Sonoma Valley artist Fred Parker stages a solo exhibition at Sonoma’s Alley Gallery in September, the experience will be interactive. The artist will be on site throughout, welcoming visitors as he works and answers questions about his process and techniques. The show runs from September 7 through September 29. 

 

Selected as Sonoma’s Treasure Artist of the Year in 1994, Parker lives in Kenwood and is the resident artist at Deerfield Ranch Winery. His art is on view at the winery tasting room and on its labels, and is among the collection of the winery’s owner. Awards given to him in various competitions are too many to list; one version of the Maxwell Farm painting won Best of Show in a Sonoma Land Trust project.

 

Parker was also the creator of an arts program at Kenwood School nine years ago, where he introduced art to students in third to sixth grades. Several well-known artists from Sonoma join Parker in this important ongoing endeavor, each giving three to four hours of their time to give lessons in various mediums. He gained financial support from philanthropists in the area so that the school could have its own kiln and pottery shed at no cost to the school; this gave giving students the ability to fire between lessons. 

 

His favorite composition, and that which is unmistakably a Parker artwork, involves the tall trees which formerly graced an area of Maxwell Village, then known as Maxwell Farm; it later became Lucky’s. He has a photograph of the Lucky Store placed over the exact area where the trees had been, a poignant reminder of the serene countryside of days gone by. 

 

“I’m my own agent,” Parker said. “This is my fifth show at The Alley Gallery. It’s always in September, showing what I’ve done in the current year along with older paintings created since 1986. I call this year’s show ‘New Generations’ because it represents the most recent of seven of my favorite image families – a version of unique artistic expression built upon information inherited from the previous generation. It could be pastel one time, or a painting on canvas next, or a giclee print, but each time I make a change or two. It has been projected, traced, photographed, and painted repeatedly.” 

 

With the purchase of the 26” x 20” “Maxwell Farm” print in September, the buyer will later receive a free jigsaw puzzle of the picture, currently in production. He says it’s over 1,000 pieces and took him 100 hours to complete , even though he knew the picture by heart – clearly a challenge for the jigsaw enthusiast.

 

Asked what he wants people to experience when looking at his artwork, Parker said, “I want them to feel like they can relax, rest, and remember that they are living in this paradise.” Take time to visit the exhibition to appreciate his vision.

 

“New Paintings by Fred R. Parker.” The Alley Gallery, 148 E. Napa St. Sonoma. September 7-29, Wednesday-Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m. 

 

Jackie Lee is a writer and artist living in Sonoma. A supporter of the local visual arts scene in all its forms, her focus is on showcasing individual events and artists as well as those represented by established galleries. Jackieleeart@comcast.net